Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Cult Health Sex. 2012;14(6):677-90. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2012.678015. Epub 2012 May 16.
Increasing international mobility presents a risk for communicable disease transmission. Overseas-acquired HIV infections have been increasingly observed across Australian jurisdictions. This includes a mix of men emigrating from countries with high HIV prevalence and men travelling abroad. There is currently little research exploring international mobility and HIV risk, and as a consequence the increase of men acquiring HIV while travelling overseas is poorly understood. This paper draws on data from a qualitative study exploring the risk perspectives and experiences of 14 Australian men who acquired HIV while travelling overseas in the years between 2000 and 2009. Participants articulated a strong desire to distance themselves from the identity of a tourist. Social networks were highlighted as important entry points to engage with other foreign travellers and expatriates. These networks were highly influential and were understood by the participants to provide guidance on how they should negotiate the local scene, including where to meet sex partners. Limited discussion of safe sex and HIV was mentioned in these contexts. The findings suggest that prevalent social norms and social networks play an influential role in how participants negotiate sex and social relations in overseas settings. These networks could potentially provide sites for effective HIV-prevention programmes.
国际流动性的增加带来了传染病传播的风险。在澳大利亚的各个司法管辖区，越来越多地观察到海外获得的 HIV 感染。其中包括从 HIV 高发国家移民的男性和出国旅行的男性。目前，很少有研究探索国际流动性和 HIV 风险，因此，在海外旅行时感染 HIV 的男性人数增加的情况了解甚少。本文利用了一项定性研究的数据，该研究探讨了 14 名澳大利亚男性在 2000 年至 2009 年间在海外旅行时感染 HIV 的风险观点和经历。参与者强烈希望将自己与游客的身份区分开来。社交网络被强调为与其他外国旅行者和侨民接触的重要切入点。这些网络非常有影响力，参与者认为这些网络提供了关于如何在当地环境中进行协商的指导，包括在哪里与性伴侣见面。在这些情况下，很少有关于安全性行为和 HIV 的讨论。研究结果表明，普遍的社会规范和社交网络在参与者如何在海外环境中协商性和社会关系方面发挥了重要作用。这些网络可能为有效的 HIV 预防计划提供场所。
